The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-02-05

Mr.. Macfariane, this time, fell through /
up to his waist, and spots were observed .
here and there where chasms yawned,
into which stones could be dropped to a
great depth. To have continued the
ascent in this direction would have been
shere folly, and all agreed to return to
the IA. Having a second time aban-
doned the direct ascent as impracticable,
they came upon another aa bed still
further to the right and continued the
oblique course up the mountain side,
which they had previously pursued, to
spot beyond the cone and below the
crater, which is situated behind them.
Making an elbow in the trail, they
turned sharply round to the left, and by
an oblque course in the opposite direc-
ton, reached the summit at the base of
the last cone, which stands nearest to
the crater. The guide was the first to
venture thither, but was quickly followed
by Mr.. Macfarlane. a fine sight was
anticipated upon the other side, but in
this the venturesOme tourists were dis
appointed, for the fiery elements were
confined to the apex, along which steam
was emitted at intervals, and could be dis
cerned as far back from the brow of the
mountain as two or three miles. The
fire fountains We're still playing from the
cones, and Mr.. Maclarlane and the guide
approached within about 125 feet of the
first one. This was their destination,
and it was accomplished with no little
difficulty and danger. The party then
retraced their steps over the same trail.
1t had been the intention to spend the
night upon the mountain side, but rain
began to fall heavily, and as it Missed
upon the hot surface of the lava dense
clouds OF steam arose, loud peals of thun-
der seemed to break Immediately over
head, the reflection of the fire fountains
cast lurid glare over the scene, which
became bewildering. Under these cir
cumstances the guide urged their imme
diate return, and every member of the
party being drenched, it was decided to
follow his advice They were thus pre-
Guided from witnessing the scene by
night.
MIR. GODFREY BROWNS IMPRESSIONS.
Mr.. Godfrey Brown, when seen in
town yesterday, appeared to have had a
scOrcher" of sun and wind, but seemed
to have enjoyed the trip to the lava flow.
l. Il ~, Il, i
very fine view of the flow from the deck
of the steamer during the night OF Satur
day last. 1t was Monday, however, be-
fore any of the party was able to visit
the scene, and the flow had stopped,
although the great fountain was still
active. There was little or no overflow
of lava, which appeared to be building
up the rim of a vast crater, in the center
of which were several cones. BY aneroid
it was determined that the height of this
crater above datum is within a foot or
two OF the altitude of Kilauea. 1t was
impossible, however, to estimate the eX-
tent of the flow, or form an accurate idea
OF the permanent features of the center
of activity. 1t appears certain, however,
that the first outbreak was at crevice
or fault in the strata, and that subse-
quent volcanic action in the ordinary
way constructed a new crater OF large
dimensions, inclosed in which are several
cones. \ great chasm or rent in the |
ground was noticed running up the face |
of the mountain from the new crater to |
MakuaweoweO, which was sending out |
dense volumes of smoke, and it is Mr.. |
Godfrey Browns opinion that the latter |
was the source OF the recent lava flow. |
1t is not improbable, therefore, with
these evidences of activity at the loftier
elevation, that there may be a grander
outbreak higher up the mountain before
long.
Mr.. j. q. Clevior, manager of the
20 Bulletin F." printing office, was one of
the eXcursiOnists His observation diff
fers little from that of the gentlemen
whose statements appear above. He
was greatly impressed with what he saw,
and the magnitude of the flow. Mauna
Loa was envelOped in smoke, and an
at or near the summit did not
appear to be improbable.
A NIGHT IN THE WOODS.
Two of the excursion party, w. Vale,
Of the Central House, Alakea street, and
J. Hopp, furniture dealer, King street,
to " foot it up to the source
Of the flow and thereby nearly lost their
lives DaSsiDp some thirteen hours in the
lark woods astray, and as they feared,
ost. Starting out briskly enough with,
as they thought, an ample supply of pro-
visions and water, they had accom-
plished a little more than half their
Journey when Mr.. Macfarlane's party on
horseback passed them, showing them
hat they were on the right trail, if trail
t might be called, 50 indistinct was the
oath through the dense woods of loa